Biggest Loser Thoughts

It is Tuesday, for me that is Biggest Loser Day. I don't watch many reality shows. Now don't get me wrong, I watch plenty of shows, just not reality shows. But a few seasons ago, I got hooked to Biggest Loser, and I really enjoy it.

Some things I like about the show include:
Of the other reality show episodes I have viewed (which I admit are few) I have watched a lot of game playing. People seem willing to do just about anything for money. Thankfully, Biggest Loser contestants seem willing to help each other and encourage one another rather than play the game. (Not all the contestants, but most)

Also, this show has a real purpose. It isn't lust or greed, but health. And the trainers give real advice, the guests help encourage and give helpful tips toward accomplishing these health goals and staying healthy after the show is done.

The producers/creators seem to really care about the contestants and their health. I have watched as they brought previous contestants back onto the show in an effort to continue helping them. The challenges are hard, but they are ultimately trying to help the health journey.

And I could continue giving reasons for why I watch this show and why I find it motivational. But the gist of it is, I like it and I empathize.

So, something I notice each season is this unhealthy trend: (Let me know if you can empathize with this)

The first episode airs and I totally empathize. I see what contestants are similar size to myself. I see the videos of them eating or trying on clothes, or trying to fit into a chair or car, etc. I totally know what it feels like because it is the life I live each day. And I get motivated, I think to myself, "If they are going to do this, I'm doing it with them." And for a few weeks, I am totally with them. I don't exercise quite as much, and I don't have the benefit of Bob or Jillian, the Biggest Loser Kitchen or the 24 hrs Fitness Gymn, or the life without distractions, but "so what, if they can do it, I can do it." Right?

Then, at some point during the season, as I am cheering them on, and being hopeful about my own weight loss journey, at some point I become a viewer. No longer am I thinking, "I can do it." I'm thinking, "YAY! Go for it, They can do it." Why did I switch from I to They?

Okay, so in the back of my brain, I am still hoping I can do it too. But I certainly won't be succeeding as fast as they are. I certainly won't be near my goal weight by the time the finale airs. What happened?

Well, life happened. I was distracted. I didn't work hard enough. I didn't put 100% effort into it. I didn't have the challenges and the competition. I didn't see that yellow line looming each week or the fear of being sent home prematurely. So, I lived my life, trying to make small adjustments in a positive direction.

Yes, I will make it. But it will not be before this season is done. In fact, it may take a few more full seasons before I reach my goal. But I will continue on my journey.

And as I continue at an at-home pace, I enjoy watching them lose massive amounts of weight each week, succeed in extreme challenges, and give me tips and motivation along the way.

Anybody relate?

Is it Possible?

Today, I watched an episode of the Biggest Loser and they were talking about pushing limits, breaking barriers, and doing what you think is impossible. They also talked about weight loss being a huge mental battle, that even if the weight comes off, a person who is not healed mentally and emotionally will just put the weight back on. And they talked about putting yourself first.

So I am debating:

• Is it selfish to make time to exercise?
• Is it selfish to make sure to eat the right things?
• What caused my unhealthy lifestyle? And can I fix it?
• What are my limits? Do I have what it takes to break them and push myself?

I am realizing:

• It effects my whole family that I am unhealthy. It will help the whole family if I can make the right changes to improve. That is not selfish.
• I am an example. Will I be a good example of healthy eating and fitness? Or a bad example of poor choices? I know what I want.
• So what is keeping me from taking action?

What keeps you from taking action?

• Is it fear? Fear of failure. Fear of others and what they may say. Fear of not fitting in with the crowd. Fear of being proven wrong and admitting past mistakes.
• Is it shame? Shame for all the poor choices. Shame for not wanting the situation to get this bad. Shame that it is such a struggle to fight temptation and force yourself to work hard.
• Is it lack of self-worth? Belief that maybe you and I shouldn't have good health. Belief that healthy people are speaking lies or deluding themselves. Belief that since all this other bad stuff has happened, life can't be changed.
• Is it laziness? Giving in to temptation. Giving into the ease of sitting around doing very little. It is hard. It hurts. Expecting life to improve on it's own without your effort or involvement.
• Is it excuses? Maybe God planned my life to be this way. Maybe I'm supposed to be unhealthy for some divine purpose. It is my parent's fault for teaching me bad habits and not motivating me. It must be my husband and kids, if they did like I asked, then my life wouldn't be so stressful. If life worked the way it was supposed to, then I wouldn't be this way.
• Or maybe it is something else.

I continue to struggle. I struggle with food cravings. I struggle with motivation and overcoming obstacles. I struggle with people (what they might think, what food they put in front of me, and what they say that is hurtful.) Life is hard and this doesn't seem like the right time for this journey. But, I can't put it off any longer. I need to fix my life, improve it, and share what I've learned.

I want:

• to become a health nut (even though I have been internally judged them. I need to become like them.)
• to overcome obstacles. I need to prove it to myself. I can succeed.
• to be a good example and live life to the best of my ability.
• to be proud of myself and my accomplishments.
• to make my dreams come true.
  

Reflections from watching Biggest Loser Season 8 week 1

As I watch these 16 people receive a wonderful chance to lose weight a lot goes through my mind.

• They are all seriously overweight like me.
  
• They are choosing to leave their families for a season in order to return changed and start fresh.
  
• They are bonding with these other obese people.
  
• Is the bond good? For weight loss and success, yes. For future relationships with their spouses, maybe not so good. This environment is a huge bonding experience and could lead to marital affairs. I am blessed to be able to stay home and make changes with my spouse and kids right along with me.
  
• These people are given wonderful resources: medical, trainers, dietary advisers, equipment, etc.
  
• Can I do the same thing without all the resources? I am sure going to try.
  
• These people are truly ill. So am I.
• One person collapsed on a 1 mile run/walk, she is not much older then me and probably smaller than me in size. Ouch! That could have been me.

• What are they learning?
  

1. Drink water
   
2. Eat healthy
   
3. Little choices have big results
   
4. Current discomfort is worth it
   
5. The taste of the food was not worth the weight it created
   
6. Be willing to push beyond your comfort level
   
7. Truly: no pain no gain
   
8. The trainers yell, swear, get mad and insult, but they actually are trying to help
   
9. No excuses: this is not easy, don’t be victims, don’t let fear stop you, don’t blame your story for your life
   
10. Now is your chance to change your life, don’t waste it or you waste your life
    
11. Endurance: a word professional athletes use daily
    
12. Work for it, earn it
13. A Last Chance workout is every important for the game and for life.
    
14. One person said he spent 4 hours in the gymn each day
15. Investing in your health means Investing in your future
    

• How am I going to get the same results without leaving my family, having an unlimited budget, having all the time to invest, etc.?
• How am I going to stay motivated?
• Do I realize that I make life and death choices each day, just like these people?
• I need to make important changes in my life to improve my health while still living my life.
• These people are able to get away from their old routines to make changes, they will eventually return to their homes and families and need to apply these lessons.
• I need to apply these lessons now, with my family and my "old" routines.
• I need to stay here and fight for my life and for my future.